NAMPA, Idaho - Joel Ryman scored a game-high 19 points but it wasn't quite enough as the Northwest Nazarene men's basketball team fell to Montana State Billings 71-66 on Saturday night in Nampa.

 

The Crusaders finish the season 14-13 overall and 5-11 in conference play, while the Yellowjackets are 10-17 overall and also 5-11 in GNAC action.

 

Adam Shildmyer joined Ryman in double-figures with 13 and both Kendall Gielow and Anthony Golden added 10.

 

"It's unfortunate," commented NNU head coach Tim Hills.  "I feel like we have only played two bad halves of basketball in the last month...and both of them have been in the second half, against the same team.  We really beat ourselves tonight with too many turnovers."

 

NNU entered the game with a four-game winning streak and finish the season with a glance toward next year.

 

"The seniors really gave us their all tonight and throughout the season," Hills added.  "I appreciate their efforts and look forward to the future with our returnees and the new players that will join our program next season."

 

Mario Burns led the 'Jackets with 15 and Derrick Wright scored 11 in only 15 minutes of action due to foul trouble.

 

The Crusaders committed 23 turnovers and shot just 38.1-percent (8-21) in the second half and 43.5-percent (20-46) for the game.